Sep 14, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers (6) makes a catch during the 1st inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning Saturday night for the Houston Astros, who beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 in Anaheim, California, in the second game of a three-game series between the American League West rivals.
Justin Verlander pitched five innings to earn his first win in more than three months for the division-leading Astros (80-68), who have won the first two games of the series. Houston remained 4 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners in the AL West.
The Angels (60-88), who are trying to avoid finishing last in the AL West for the first time since 1999, have lost four straight.
Verlander (4-6) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in winning for the first time since May 24. The 41-year-old missed more than two months with a neck injury and was 0-4 with a 9.68 ERA in four starts since returning to the rotation Aug. 21.
Verlander took the lead when Jose Altuve scored on a wild pitch in the top of the first inning, but Nolan Schanuel tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning. Eric Wagaman then gave the Angels the lead with his first career hit, an RBI double in the fourth.
The Astros wasted no time in regaining the lead against Los Angeles starter Tyler Anderson (10-13), who allowed a single to Altuve in the fifth inning before Alvarez’s homer to right field. Jeremy Pena singled with two outs, stole second base and scored on Victor Caratini’s single to put Houston up 4-2.
Verlander, Hector Neris and Kaleb Ort combined to get the next nine batters out of the game before the Angels nearly tied the game in the eighth. The Angels loaded the bases with one out against Tayler Scott, then Logan O’Hoppe greeted reliever Ryan Pressly with an RBI single to center. Jake Meyers, who nearly made a sliding catch, leaped and fired home to get Schanuel, who was trying to score the tying run.
Kyle Tucker added a pinch-hit solo homer in the ninth before Pressly completed a five-out save.
Anderson allowed four runs, seven hits and three walks, while striking out four in five innings.
–Field level media
